Potato-scoop



J. VOWLES; POTATO SCOOP.

(No Model.)

Patented Oct. 1, 1889 a 1W 7 EN T012 flfiorneym N, PETEPbMo-Uihngrlpher. ylnhington. D, C.

WITNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

JOSEPH VOIVLES, OF MILFORD, MICHIGAN.

POTATO-SO00 P.

. SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 411,879, datedOctober 1, 1889.

Application filed February 18, 1889. Serial No. 300,335. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH VOWLES, a citizen of the United States,residing at Milford,

county of Oakland, State of Michigan, have invented a certain new anduseful Improvement in Potato-Scoops; and I declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the same, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part ofthis specification.

My invention has for its object the provision of a pot-atoscoop whichshall be cheaply manufactured and at the same time light, strong, anddurable; and it consists, essentially, of making the scoop of malleableiron, cast-steel, or other cast metal in the form hereinafter describedand claimed.

Figure l is a plan view, and Fig. 2 is a side elevation, of my improvedscoop. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation with the socket in section.

In carrying out-myinvention, A represents the main frame, 13 theintermediate ribs, 0 the handle-socket, of my improved scoop, and D isthe handle. It will be observed that the ribs B are so shaped and placedas to form an abundance of room in which to hold the potatoes or otherarticles being scooped. At 1), where the ribs are curved, it will beobserved that they are thickened and flattened on their under sides.

In using potato-scoops it generally the case that the operator firstpushes the scoop under the pile of potatoes, then tiltsit slightly bytilting the handle to hold them in the scoop, and then draws it back.This operation of sliding the scoop back and forth causes the wear tocome on these ribs at about the point Where they curve upward. Bythickening and flattening the ribs at this point I overcome this seriousdifficulty, which has heretofore been experienced in the use ofwroughtiron scoops of similar shape. So, also, in the use ofwrought-iron scoops difficulty has been experienced from the fact thatbecause of the peculiar shape it has been necessaryto leave a spacebetween the side of the frame a. and the adjacent rib b. This hassometimes been obviated by inserting transverse Wires across this space;but this has necessitated extra expense and trouble. In my scoop,however, by widening the rib at this point the space is sufficientlyfilled up and the scoop made much more effective in its operation atcomparatively no extra ex pense. v

c are small feather edges or fins upon the interior of the sockets C.These are adapted to hold the handle D more firmly in the socket, andalso to prevent its turning therein. These fins may or may not beemployed.

\Vhile I have herein shown a socket for holding the handle it is obviousthat a shank might be cast onto the frame with equal facility.

I have described my scoop as being applicable as a potato-scoop; but itmay also-be used for shoveling any articles where an open shovel isdesired.

Of course I do not limit myself to any particular number of ribs, nor doI limit myself to the particular shape of scoop herein shown, since itis apparent that other shapes might with equal facility be employed anda greater or less number of ribs be employed Without departing from thespirit of my invention.

\Vhat I claim is 1. A potato-scoop, as herein described, con sisting ofthe frame A and the curved ribs 13, said ribs being thickened at theirbends b and flattened on the under sides of said bends, and the outerribs thickened also on their sides adjacent to the frame, substantiallyas described.

2. A potato-scoop, as herein described, having the ribs which areadjacent to and extending parallel with the frame widened to fill theintervening space, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification in the presence of twowitnesses.

JOSEPH VOIVLES. lVitn esses:

W. H. CHAMBERLIN, L. A. DOELTZ.

